Friday, October 30, 2009

All in a Night's Work: The Politics of October 29, 2009

Thursday, October 29, 2009 will probably go down in local political annals as the crucial second day of federal grand jury testimony in the matter of Willie Herenton’s business dealings. Former city attorney Elbert Jefferson, who brought with him a recording of the former mayor discussing the now famous Greyhound Bus land deal, was the main witness.

For most people, even political junkies, that was the crux of the day, after which nothing much — nothing political, anyhow — mattered much. Actually, a great deal went on afterward, and who is to say that the five public events — count ‘em, 5 — that occurred later on Thursday evening, more or less simultaneously, were not equally momentous? Not the participants, surely!

First, at the Homebuilders building on Germantown Parkway, Republican county commission candidate Terry Roland (District 4, Position 3) got ready to meet and greet his public at a reception. Taking no chances, Roland doubled up with a cardboard cutout of himself.

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Terry Roland/Terry Roland

Next, Danny Kail, Democratic candidate for Probate Court clerk, held a fundraiser at 200 Wagner Place downtown. Among the attendees were quasi-namesakes Dan Norwood and Danny Presley (first and fourth in this lineup, from left), along with Bobby Lanier and Judy Palmer. Kail himself is second from left in the picture.

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Danny Kail (2nd from left) and friends

Not far from the Kail affair, at Earnestine and Hazel’s Restaurant downtown, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Kyle was meeting and greeting — in his case, members of Memphis’ legal community. Here, Kyle (left) says hello to brand new author D’Army Bailey (right), as Karl Schledwitz adds his own welcome.

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Jim Kyle (left) meets and greets.

Also going on downtown was a forum —“Is Health Care a Right?”— at 80 Monroe Avenue. Participants in the event, sponsored by the American Constitution Society, were (from left) Dr. Arthur Sutherland, Dr. Frank McGrew, moderator Steve Mulroy, and attorney Charles Key.

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Sutherland, McGrew, Mulroy, and Key at health care forum

Finally, members of Shelby County’s Republican community gathered at the Woodland Hills Country for a well-attended dinner/fashion show/talent contest/fundraiser sponsored by the Republican Women of Purpose club. Among the acts (to keep on using the forward-slant key on our computer) was radiologist/broadcasting magnate/Shelby County commissioner/blues harmonica player George Flinn.

Ranking member of House Judiciary subcommittee, says, apropos Charlottesville and Trump's apparent defense of the white nationalist fomentors there: "There are no good Nazis. There are no good Klansmen."

Senator tells media in Chattanooga that the President "has not demonstrated" ability or competetence, "doubles down" on his mistakes, and lacks understanding "of what has made this nation great."

In which Memphis’ Democratic congressman Steve Cohen, addressing an apparent GOP effort to muddy the waters on the Russian inquiry, not only takes no crap but gives it back where it came from. This is worth watching from beginning to end -- even for those who might disagree on the politics of the matter.

Senator tells media in Chattanooga that the President "has not demonstrated" ability or competetence, "doubles down" on his mistakes, and lacks understanding "of what has made this nation great."

Ranking member of House Judiciary subcommittee, says, apropos Charlottesville and Trump's apparent defense of the white nationalist fomentors there: "There are no good Nazis. There are no good Klansmen."

In which the 8th District Congressman, on a district-wide tour, meets his public, sort of, in a pair of local gatherings.

In Part One of a reorganizational process on Saturday, conventioneers in a packed hall at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church gathered to revive the fortunes of a decertified SCDP.; UPDATED WITH NAMES OFNEWLY ELECTED SCDP MEMBERS

Mays to rule on injunction if no agreement is reached; Memphis Mayor Wharton allegedly leading effort to broker a deal. More »

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In which Memphis’ Democratic congressman Steve Cohen, addressing an apparent GOP effort to muddy the waters on the Russian inquiry, not only takes no crap but gives it back where it came from. This is worth watching from beginning to end -- even for those who might disagree on the politics of the matter.

Ranking member of House Judiciary subcommittee, says, apropos Charlottesville and Trump's apparent defense of the white nationalist fomentors there: "There are no good Nazis. There are no good Klansmen."

The giant locomotive whistles, the inspiring speeches, the dazzling display of rainbow lighting on the Harahan Bridge at night, and the first treks across the bridge by foot and by bike are all embedded in Memphis history now, as the "Main St. to Main St. Multi-Modal Connector" project came to pass, linking Memphis to West Memphis, and both to the future.
(WITH SLIDESHOW AND VIDEO OF BRIDGE LIGHTS)

In which the 8th District Congressman, on a district-wide tour, meets his public, sort of, in a pair of local gatherings.

In Part One of a reorganizational process on Saturday, conventioneers in a packed hall at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church gathered to revive the fortunes of a decertified SCDP.; UPDATED WITH NAMES OFNEWLY ELECTED SCDP MEMBERS